US1954697A - Frame for stretching skins - Google Patents

Description

April 10, 1934.

VV.I& CEHBBES FRAME FOR STRETCHING SKINS Filed Oct. 10, 1930 Patented Apr. 1 0, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to improvements in frames for stretching skins, the object being to provide a frame for stretching the skins of animals which may be readily adjusted to fit any desired size of skin, and which will retain its correct form when the size is changed. Such devices are commonly known as fur stretchers. Heretofore, it has been common practice to provide different sizes of stretchers for different sizes of skins. This invention eliminates the necessity for providing a plurality of stretchers, a single device being adaptable for use with skins of different sizes.

The general object of the invention is to provide a highly efficient device of the nature indicated above which is simple in construction and which can be manufactured commercially at low cost.

The above objects are accomplished by provid- 2o ing an adjustable frame adapted to receive animal skins, and which may be easily adjusted to accommodate different sizes of skins, thereby eliminating the necessity for providing several stretchers of different sizes as mentioned above.

' The device comprises essentially a point memrods and are capable of being fastened thereto at any desired point. The correct form, viz., a

pointed top with sides flaring slightly toward the base, is always maintained by having the point rods properly curved.

The stretcher will be in its largest adjustment position when the side rods are fastened to the point rods at the end farthest away from the joint of the point rods, and in its smallest adjustment position when the side rods are fastened to the point rods close to the joint. It will be readily apparent that any size between the largest and smallest may easily be had. A novel feature of the device is that the portions of the point rod, not required in the small adjustment -position, remain within the frame and do not interfere with the outside form of the device. The device is also capable of being lengthened indefinitely by extending the side rods in sections.

Another important feature of the device is the to' novel tail-fastening or holding member, which can be easily assembled and requires no nuts, screws, or like fastening means.

The above and other features of the device, as Well as the details of construction and assembly, will be more apparent hereinafter as the description proceeds. r

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view showing the device of the invention in its extended or largest adjustment position; and

Fig. 2 is a view showing the device in its contracted or small adjustment position.

Referring to the views of the drawing, the device comprises a point member designated generally by reference character 1, which is formed of a pair of curved rods 2 and 3. The curvature of these rods is perhaps more clearly apparent from the showing of Fig. 2. The converging ends of these rods may be flattened as at 3 and 4, respectively, the flattened portions being provided with openings for the reception of a rivet 5, or other pivotal attaching means. The purpose of this construction is, of course, merely to provide the desired point member having arms which are relatively movable about the point. Many mo diflcations to attain the desired purpose are of course, possible and within the scope of the invention.

A pair of side rods 6 and 7 are attached to point rods 2 and 3, respectively, by means of a pair of ferrules 8 and 9. The thus attached ends of these side rods are pointed as at 10 and 11. The side arms are slightly curved at their portions' adjacent the point rods. As will appear more clearly hereinafter, the point at which the side rods are fastened to the point rods may be varied to adjust the device. A base rod 12 extends transversely between the free ends of the side rods, and is attached to the side rods by means of a pair of spring clips 13 and 14. These clips may be formed of a piece of spring wire which has its ends bent to extend under the side rods while its body portion passes over base rod 12. The ends 15 and 16 of the spring clips may completely encircle the side rods, while the ends 17 and 18 of the clips may merely comprise extended portions which pass under the side rods. By means of this construction, in assembling the device, the ends 15 and 16 of the clips may be placed over the ends of the side rods, the base rod positioned underneath the clip, and the ends 17 and 18 of the clips sprung into position beneath the side rods.

Base rod 12 carries a tail-fastening or holding member 19, which may take the form of an extended tab or tongue having one end bent so as to encircle the base rod. By means of this construction, this tab may be placed in position upon the base rod by merely inserting the latter through the eyelet formed by the tab. A spring clip or fastener 20 is provided on the tab to serve as means for holding the tail point of the skin firmly. This spring clip may take the form of a piece of spring wire bent in the manner clearly shown on the drawing. The ends and central portion of the clip extend beneath tab 19, while the intermediate portions lie above the tab.

Assuming that the device is disassembled, to assemble it, the following procedure is followed. A ferrule is placed over the curved end of a side rod about two inches back from the end. One of the point rods is then passed through the ferrule to the point at which it is desired to hold the two rods together, and they are clamped by pushing the ferrule ahead. By pinching the two rods together slightly with a pair of pliers 01 the like, the ferrule will readily bind the rods together so that they cannot come loose. In like manner, a second side rod is attached to the other of the point rods. Then, the base rod is passed through the eyelet of the tail holder until the latter is in position at about the middle of the base rod. The base rod is then fastened to the side rods by means of the spring clips as previously explained.

To place a pelt or hide upon the structure, a nail may be driven into a board, the pelt placed on the stretcher and the latter hooked over the nail. This holds the stretcher so that the hide can be pulled onto it. The hide may be stretched properly by properly adjusting the device, and the tail point of the hide may be fastened by placing the S-shaped Wire 20 over the tail and. springing the ends of the wire under the tail holder as indicated on the drawing. It will be apparent that when the device is once assembled, it may be readily adjusted by merely pushing the rods of the point member through the ferrules. The device will always maintain the proper shape to accommodate different sizes of hides.

An important feature of the device is that the length thereof can be extended indefinitely by inserting any desired number of side rods. Assuming that it is desired to lengthen the device beyond the position shown in Fig. 1, it is merely necessary to use an additional pair or pairs of side rods and ferrules. Each ferrule is placed over the curved end of the corresponding additional side rod and the straight end of one of the side rods of the device is inserted in the ferrule, as previously explained. A small wooden wedge may be inserted between the two side rods which are attached together, if desired, to make the ferrule pinch them, and the ferrule may then be tightened. This procedure is, of course, followed for each additional side rod. The structure can be lengthened continuously in this manner and wood braces may be inserted, if desired, to keep it from springing in on the sides.

In connection with the adjustability of the device, it is important to note that the tail holder may be reversed with relation to the base rod. It lengthens the stretcher when in one position and shortens it when in the other. In this man ner, different sizes of skins may often be accommodated without changing the adjustment of the device.

It will be apparent that I have provided a device which is simple in construction and which may be easily assembled and adjusted. The specific illustration and disclosure contained herein is not to be taken as limiting the invention in any way, it being understood that various changes and modifications within the scope of the appended claims may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A fur stretcher comprising sides, a base member extending transversely between said sides, and spring means for fastening said member to said sides, said means comprising a spring clip having one end hooked under a side, its body portion passed over said member, and its other end snapped under said side.

2. In a fur stretcher, the combination of a pair of curved pivotally attached point members, and a pair of side members, said side members each having only an end movably attached to the outside of said point members and slidable therealong, whereby said side members are movable along said point members throughout substantially the entire length thereof, and the free end portions of said point members not required in adjustments of the stretcher for small furs lie within the stretcher and do not interfere with its outside shape.

3. In a fur stretcher, pivotally connected point members, side members, connections between the terminals of said side members and the point members constructed and arranged to move along said point members substantially from end to end thereof and to direct the free terminal portions of the point members which lie beyond the connections of the side members from the pivotal connection inwardly of the outer faces of the side members.

WALTER A. GIBBS.

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